The effect extra pounds have on your hounds...

I’m sure many of you have started the new year with goals and good intentions to get yourself feeling fit for the year ahead. The effect of obesity on the human body is well documented, but have you considered what happens to our four legged friends when they’re carrying a little extra holiday weight? Our dogs are part of our family and sometimes spoiling them is just way too tempting, we want to show them we love them in any way we can, right? It doesn’t help that, like babies, chubby animals can be rather adorable. (I personally lament the fact that rolls on babies are one of the cutest things in the world, but unfortunately don’t stay quite as cute when you’re an adult… but that’s a conversation for another day).

Here’s a few things to remember before you give your pooch that extra treat or cut that walk a little bit short…

Is my dog fat?

Firstly, what is considered overweight? Like us humans, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so there is no “one weight” to aim for, and sometimes the scales can be a bit misleading. There are some easy things to look for to help assess a dog’s weight, and with these guidelines we can assign a “Body Condition Score” (BCS). Guidelines vary slightly depending on the size of your dog, see here for more information. In basic terms, a dog of ideal weight should have a visible waist with a “tuck” in, just behind the ribs. You should be able to easily feel their ribs, with just a bit of fat covering. If you can’t identify these things, your dog may be a bit on the heavy side. Other signs of excess fat include extra bulges at the base of the tail or over their back. Obviously, this can be a bit of a challenge to judge for our fluffier companions, so have a good feel of their body.

If you're unsure of your pet’s condition, or if you’re concerned they may be over or underweight, check in with your vet. It’s a good idea to regularly weigh your dog to get an objective measurement of their body condition. 

What is the knock on effect? 

  At the end of the day, we must not forget that obesity itself is considered a disease. If your pet is obese, it has a chronic disease that is affecting its health in multiple ways through chronic inflammation. An obese dog cannot be a completely healthy dog.

 As physios, muscles and bones are our bread and butter, and I’m sure it’s unsurprising to you that weight has a considerable impact on your dog’s joints. In humans, studies have shown losing 10% of body weight in an obese individual can lead to moderate to large improvements in joint pain. In adults, weight loss can reduce forces through joints such as the knees by almost four-fold. While these are human studies, the principles are the same. If there are any issues that are already present in weight bearing joints, putting more force through them via extra Kg's can exacerbate symptoms and increase pain. Long term excessive weight may even contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, as cartilage is prone to increased degeneration under increasing loads. 

Obesity is a vicious cycle, as extra weight can lead to increased joint pain, which may decrease your pet’s motivation to move. This results in less energy expenditure, more weight gained, more painful joints and even less exercise tolerance; round and round we go! More weight is also going to put more stress through stabilising ligaments, and contracting tendons, potentially increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injury. 

Obesity is a risk factor in a number of chronic diseases, putting greater strain on the body in general. Diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, and some cancers are just a few of the conditions that your dog is at risk of when overweight. Remember, prevention is better than a cure!

A 2002 study followed labradors over a period of 14 years, with half the group being fed more, and the other half being lean-fed. The dogs in the lean-fed group lived on average 15% longer than the heavier group. Not only were the dogs living longer, the development of osteoarthritis, age-related muscle loss, and reduced activity levels occurred about two years later in the lean group, compared to the heavier group. Our dogs are, unfortunately, only with us for a finite amount of time. It’s our job as responsible owners to ensure they have the best possible quality of life for that time. But, that doesn’t mean giving into your dog’s every desire. Studies have shown obese dogs have decreased perceived quality of life through increased pain and discomfort, and decreased energy and happiness. 

Dogs are designed to move, and in order to keep them moving well, it is vital we keep them at a healthy weight. While treats might make them happy in the short term, nothing can beat that long term happiness of going for a walk in the sunshine with their favourite person- you! 

An uncomfortable truth…

Every dog-owner relationship is unique. However, previous studies have shown a correlation between owner-weight and pet-weight. This can be a bit confronting at first glance, but look at it like this. Going into the new year many of us set ourselves a challenge to move our body more and fuel ourselves with healthy and nourishing foods. If this is you, and your pet is looking a bit heavy, now you not only have a best friend to go on this journey with, but some extra motivation- they’re relying on you. Do it together and spend that quality time with your fur baby!

You have to move it to lose it!

In a predictable conclusion, the best way to help your pet lose weight is through diet and exercise. Book in to see your vet to determine a safe and healthy weight loss diet that will still meet your pet’s nutritional needs. Increase your pet’s exercise to help burn off those excess pounds. This could be in the form of increased walking, swimming or more play dates with their besties. Both your vet or your vet physio can help develop a walking/exercise program that will get them fit and strong, without overloading their body or causing injury. The underwater treadmill facility we have at JDP can be a fantastic way to safely burn calories in a controlled and progressive manner. The extra resistance of the water can make it a real workout for your dog, whilst the buoyancy aids to de-load painful joints. Get in touch today to book a hydrotherapy consultation and start your pet’s fitness journey!

A very Happy New Year to all our JDP family!